World War II Honoree

Ralph L. Gumbel

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ingraham, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JANUARY 21, 1941 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE QUARTERMASTER CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF LIGHT TRUCK DRIVER (345). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON APRIL 15, 1943 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH THE 7TH QUARTERMASTER COMPANY, 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE ALEUTIAN, EASTERN MANDATES, SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AND RYUKYUS CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON OCTOBER 10, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.